Delta 1: Tough but amazingly rewarding work in Nimari

Delta 1 reflect on the experience of living and working in the tiny indigenous community of Nimari: 

A six hour hike in the pouring rain was to set the tone for the weeks to come. Living in a tiny palmshack surrounded by barbed wire to keep the animals away (not that it stopped the cows from eating our socks and T-shirts), this was the most remote place any of Delta 1 had ever been. We spent three weeks in the tiny indigenous Cabecar community of Nimari, home to about a 100 people. While they seemed shy at first, relationships grew through the weeks - starting with a welcome speech by our maestro de obras (local foreman) describing us as friends and loved ones.

The work was often tough but always highly rewarding. Nothing could compare to the massive sense of achievement on our last working day, as we stroked our last paint brushes with one minute to go.

For three weeks we carried dozens of logs each, planed hundreds of planks and nailed thousands of nails in the pouring rain and blazing sun. From trenchfoot to sunburn, the group relished every moment. Tucking into rice and beans three times a day and discovering new ways of varying out diet... some chosing salt, others sugar! Washing in a stream was everyday's highlight and intense discussions regarding bowel movements became a vital routine as the long drop's smell reached new levels.

The opening ceremony was really touching as a string of speeches emphasised just what the project meant to a community who have waited 20 years for it to finally happen. It will not only allow them to double the students' school hours - they currently receive only one lesson a week - but, more importantly, it will help ensure the Cabecar culture and language can be maintained as they fear the loss of their traditions because of globalistion.

Delta 1's experience and relationships grew not only amongst our own group but also within the community, as we managed to give English lessons to the children and also learnt some Cabecar. After a week we'd broken through the language barriers and finally found ourselves feeling gradually more integrated with the community. It was a wonderful experience and no doubt Nimari will stay firmly in our memories.